14 Scenic Farm Walks in Vermont
Take in both Vermont’s scenic beauty and its farming culture by rambling through farm trails. Instead of the steep climbs or rugged trailheads of hiking trails, farm walks often follow wide pasture roads, riverside paths, or maintained loops across working farmland. Some farms offer accessible trails or trails modified to accommodate a wider range of mobility needs. Although elevation gain isn’t necessarily the goal on a farm walk, many trails do offer expansive vistas and beautiful vantage points to take in new views of Vermont. Many of the farm walks mentioned below are tucked along quiet back roads and pair naturally with scenic drives in Vermont, making them easy to fold into a day of exploring.
Trails created to accommodate a wide range of abilities, either fully accessible and/or with detailed access information, are marked with an asterisk below.
Retreat Farm*
Brattleboro, VT
Length: 11 miles of trails
Type of walk: Meadow paths, riverside trails, and woodland loops
Accessibility: Two universally accessible trails: West River Meadows (first 0.5 miles) and Pollinator/Meadow Path (first 0.5 miles)
Why it’s scenic: Open fields, river views, pollinator habitat, and forest edges
Cost: Free
Season: Year-round (dawn to dusk)
Dogs allowed on leash
Trail map
Located just outside downtown Brattleboro, Retreat Farm blends wide meadow paths, several universally accessible trails, riverside stretches, and woodland trails across 500 acres.
What makes this walk especially enjoyable is the variety. You can pass open pastureland, meet farm animals, see restored wildlife habitats, and go through dense forest, all within a compact, well-maintained trail system. Interpretive signs and murals add context about land stewardship, Indigenous culture, and ecology.
You can combine your walk with a visit to the farm market or on Thursdays in the summer, attend their weekly Food Truck Roundup. Family-friendly areas include the animal barn, Forest Playground, Trail Magic art installation, and the seasonal Storybook Walk.
Good to pair with: Brattleboro’s downtown shops, the Brattleboro Food Co-op, or a drive along the scenic Connecticut River Byway.
Bluffside Farm*
Newport, VT
Length: 2.1 miles of trails
Type of walk: Farmland, woodland, a 1,100 ft. sandy beach, and scenic views across the lake
Accessibility: ADA-accessible recreation path and boardwalk (1 mile)
Access information
Why it’s scenic: Wetlands, lake views, wildlife habitat
Cost: Free
Season: Year-round
Dogs allowed on leash
Trail map
Owned and stewarded by the Vermont Land Trust, this conserved former dairy farm and maple sugarbush features a one-mile ADA-accessible recreation trail that includes a boardwalk over wetlands along Scott’s Cove. There are also extensive cross-country ski trails in the winter.
The trail is 6’ wide, designed specifically for inclusive access without sacrificing scenery. Expect expansive views toward Lake Memphremagog and birdlife in the wetlands that make even a short trip feel refreshing.
Bluffside Farm is great as either a quick stop or as part of a longer lakeside day in the Northeast Kingdom.
Good to pair with: Newport’s lakefront paths or an evening cruise on Lake Memphremagog with Northern Star Cruises.
Fox Hill at Snow Farm Vineyard & Distillery
South Hero, VT
Length: 0.3–0.5 miles round trip
Type of walk: Short hillside path from vineyard to viewpoint
Why it’s scenic: Panoramic views of Lake Champlain, vineyards, and the Adirondack and Green Mountains
Cost: Free
Season: Year-round (during vineyard hours)
Dogs allowed on leash
Trail information and map
Fox Hill at Snow Farm Vineyard & Distillery proves that beautiful Vermont views can be found without long distances or steep climbs. This short walk starts near the tasting room and gently climbs to a hilltop overlooking the grapevines, Lake Champlain, and, on clear days, the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks.
The short path is a perfect add-on to stretch your legs after a visit to the Snow Farm tasting room. Benches at the top encourage lingering, especially for the sunset.
Good to pair with: A tasting at Snow Farm Vineyard & Distillery or a drive along West Shore Road through the Champlain Islands.
Sugarbush Farm
Woodstock, VT
Length: 1.25 miles of trails
Type of walk: Two maple forest nature trail loops with educational signage, mountain views, and a picnic spot
Why it’s scenic: Sugar woods, rolling hills, classic Vermont countryside
Cost: Free
Season: Year-round. From late November to early April, it’s best to call ahead for road conditions and store hours.
Dogs allowed on leash
Trail information
Sugarbush Farm combines short nature trails with a classic maple sugaring setting. Two loop trails wind through the 500-acre sugar woods.
The first loop is a quarter mile long and features educational signage about maple syrup production. From the first loop, you can access the second one-mile loop, which includes nature-based signs about identifying animal tracks and types of wildlife that can be found in the woods. The quarter-mile trail is open year-round, and the one-mile trail is open May to October (closing in the winter for yearly maintenance on the sugarbush).
You can pair a walk with free samples of maple syrup and cheese, or a purchase from the farm store (check ahead for store hours).
The farm is over 80 years old and has been run by generations of family members, and so when the farm store is open, it’s a good opportunity to meet them and learn about maple production directly from the people who live on the land.
Good to pair with: Historic downtown Woodstock or a scenic drive along Route 4.
Shelburne Farms*
Shelburne, VT
Length: 10+ miles of trails
Type of walk: Carriage roads, pasture paths, and short hill walks
Accessibility: The North Gate Path (1.5 miles round-trip) and the Farm Barn Trail (3.5 miles round-trip) are 3-4 feet wide with packed gravel and have slopes typically at 0-2%, with some reaching 12%
Access information
Why it’s scenic: Views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, rolling farmland
Cost: Admission by donation
Season: Year-round (grounds and trails not maintained Nov-April)
Service dogs only
Trail map
Shelburne Farms is a National Historic Landmark. The 1,400-acre working farm sits on Lake Champlain and has views of the Adirondack Mountains across the lake. The farm offers 10 miles of wide carriage roads and paths that wind through pastures, forests, and open fields.
You can opt for shorter walks near the Farm Barn to see the animals or a stroll toward Lone Tree Hill, which is one of the best spots to soak in the views of the lake. While walking to the Farm Barn, you can stop to watch cheese being made or visit the bakery. The Children’s Farmyard (open seasonally) is accessible via the Farm Trail or a seasonal tractor shuttle that runs on the half-hour from the Welcome Center. At the Children’s Farmyard, see sheep, cows, goats, rabbits, horses, pigs, and donkeys.
Because Shelburne Farms blends agriculture, educational workshops, and conservation, a walk here can become a full-day activity. It’s an ideal stop if you’re planning fun things to do in Vermont that combine scenery with educational opportunities.
Good to pair with: A scenic drive along Route 7 or a visit to Shelburne Museum.
Knoll Farm
Fayston, VT
Length: Less than 1 mile
Type of walk: Farm roads, open fields, and informal trails
Why it’s scenic: Hillside and mountain views across the Mad River Valley, blueberry fields, grazing sheep
Cost: Day pass by donation. Visitors must check in at the farmstand to receive trail information
Season: May 15 to October 15
No Dogs
Trail information
Knoll Farm is a working family farm that grows blueberries and raises Icelandic sheep. The farm sits high above the Mad River Valley with sweeping views of the Northfield and Green Mountain ranges and the villages of Waitsfield and Warren below. Farm roads and open fields create natural walking routes across the property that invite wandering.
Sheep graze nearby, berry fields frame the landscape in summer, and the elevation from the hilltop farm makes it a great vantage point. You can explore the farm store to shop for grass-fed lamb, frozen blueberries, Icelandic hand-dyed yarn, and other local products.
Learn more about the land with Knoll Farm’s guided audio walking tour, or order a picnic from the farm store and enjoy the views across the valley (no outside food).
Good to pair with: A drive along Vermont Route 100 through Waitsfield and Warren.
Merck Forest and Farmland Center
Rupert, VT
Length: 35+ miles
Type of walk: Pasture roads, forest trails, and short loops near the Visitor Center
Why it’s scenic: Open farmland with working farm animals, maple sugarbush, conserved forests, Taconic Mountain views
Cost: Free with suggested donation
Dogs: On leash at the farm; off-leash in woods
Season: Year-round (dawn to dusk); Visitor Center open daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Trail map
Merck Forest and Farmland Center includes more than 35 miles of trails, with a farm walk where you can meet heritage breeds of sheep, horses, goats, and chickens, close to the visitor center and working fields.
Combine your walk with a workshop focused on sustainable farming, forestry, gardening, maple production, or conservation.
The Joy Green Visitor Center has a farm store where you can pick up maple syrup, snacks, drinks, Vermont-made gifts and goods, and other treasures.
Good to pair with: Downtown Manchester and a swim at the Dorset Marble Quarry.
Stone Wall Park at Scott Farm Orchard
Dummerston, VT
Length: One acre with stone walls, connected to a 1.3-mile loop trail
Type of walk: Level paths through dry stone wall displays
Why it’s scenic: Stonework set in open fields and orchard land
Cost: Free
No dogs
Season: Daylight hours, year-round
Trail information
Located at Scott Farm Orchard and created by The Stone Trust, the park features an extensive outdoor collection of stone walls built by master craftspeople spread across an acre.
The scenery comes from craftsmanship, landscape design, and centuries of fruit cultivation. Scott Farm is a National Register of Historic Places property that has been growing apples since 1791. The farm has 130 varieties of heirloom apples and other fruit, including pears, plums, peaches, blueberries, cherries, and more.
The 1.3-mile loop trail starts at Stone Wall Park and winds past a covered bridge, a farm pond, and a pick-your-own orchard before looping through the woods around a wetland. It briefly crosses onto the grounds of the School for International Training. Walkers should stay on the main trail, as side spurs lead to private property.
Good to pair with: Apple picking at Scott Farm Orchard (in season) or a drive along the West River on Route 30.
Pittsford Village Farm Trail
Pittsford, VT
Length: 1 mile
Type of walk: On-farm paths and hilltop strolls
Why it’s scenic: Open views, rolling fields, Adirondack chairs at the summit
Cost: Free
Dogs allowed on leash
Season: Year-round
Trail map
Pittsford Village Farm sits on 150 acres of the former Forrest Farm and contains an 18th-century farmhouse and a 19th-century barn. Short paths lead across the property, culminating in a high point that is a popular birding spot, complete with Adirondack chairs.
The Village Farm Trail walk offers panoramic, long-distance views of the Taconic Mountain Range from its open meadows with opportunities to see bobolinks and eastern bluebirds.
For those who want to extend their time, the farm trail connects to the larger Pittsford trail network.
Good to pair with: A visit to Kamuda’s Country Market in Pittsford for lunch or a scenic drive toward the Green Mountains.
Hildene Farm*
Manchester, VT
Length: 12 miles of trails
Type of walk: Historic farm buildings, two working farms with animals, wetlands, and birdwatching
Accessibility: 600 ft floating ADA-accessible boardwalk
Access information
Why it’s scenic: Historic farm buildings, wide-open pastures with grazing animals, wetland views from a floating boardwalk, abundant birdlife
Cost: Admission fee required
Dogs not allowed
Season: Year-round
Trail information
In 1902, Robert Todd Lincoln, the only child of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood, purchased several hundred acres and began building the Georgian Revival home he would call Hildene. Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home now preserves this legacy as a 412-acre historic estate open to the public year-round.
Hildene Farm offers a chance to tour historic farm buildings, participate in educational programming, see farm animals, and explore trails through farm fields and wetlands that provide a sanctuary for pollinators and ground-nesting birds. On the lower part of the property at Dene Farm, trails lead to a working farm, teaching greenhouse, bobolink sanctuary observation platform, and 600’ floating ADA-accessible boardwalk through the Battenkill wetland. You can see rare Randall cattle alongside alpacas, sheep, goats, chickens, and ducks.
Good to pair with: Hiking to Lye Brook Falls, walking or biking the Manchester Riverwalk, and riding the alpine slide or taking a scenic chairlift at Bromley Mountain Adventure Park.
Isham Family Farm
Williston, VT
Length: 1.3 mile outer loop and .5 miles of inner loops
Type of walk: Maintained loop trails on conserved farmland
Why it’s scenic: Open fields with mountain views and benches
Cost: Free
Dogs not allowed
Season: Year-round (daylight hours)
Trail map
Isham Family Farm is a hub for maple syrup, Christmas trees, and farm theater featuring plays and live music by local talent. The former dairy farm is set on 108-acres and has been cared for by five generations of family.
Conserved by the Vermont Land Trust, the property features well-marked loop trails that pass through open fields and gently rolling terrain. Several trails are named for farm family members.
Benches placed along the route make this a comfortable option for anyone who wants to stop and take in views of Mount Mansfield and Camel’s Hump.
Good to pair with: A visit to Lake Iroquois public beach and shopping and dining at Taft Corners.
Mission Farm
Killington, VT
Length: 2.5 miles of trails
Type of walk: Meadow paths and forest trails starting from the farm road
Why it’s scenic: Open fields leading into mixed forest, valley views
Cost: Free
Dogs on leash
Season: Year-round
Trail map
Mission Farm offers a gentle introduction to Killington’s landscape without the elevation commitment the area is known for. The property dates back to 1797, when Josiah Wood established one of the area’s earliest farms and built what is now considered the oldest house in Killington. Trails begin in a pollinator meadow with four acres of open land and orchards, and gradually move into 176 acres of pine groves and mixed forest.
Lower sections are well-suited for short farm walks. Climbing up to the top of one of the three loops in the trail system will reward you with a sweeping view of the Ottauquechee River valley and the mountain range beyond it.
While you’re there, you can also explore the 1895 Mission Farm Chapel, community gardens, and the Odeon, a granite amphitheater lined with native plantings, designed by a Vermont stone craftsperson.
Good to pair with: A scenic drive along Route 4 from Killington Village to Woodstock, walking the scenic trails at Gifford Woods State Park, biking at the Killington Bike Park, or exploring Thundering Brook Falls.
Farr Farms
Richmond, VT
Length: Less than 1 mile
Type of walk: Seasonal sunflower field paths
Why it’s scenic: Bright fields framed by classic Vermont farmland
Cost: Seasonal fee may apply
Dogs allowed on leash
Season: August to September (check before going)
Trail information
Farr Farms’ sunflower stroll is an opportunity to see four acres of sunflowers and appreciate the bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that benefit from such a large planting. Short, flat, grassy paths wind through tall sunflower fields during peak bloom for approximately half a mile.
Because the stroll is seasonal, it works best as a planned stop rather than a spontaneous one. Outside sunflower season, the self-serve farm stand is open year-round for beef, pork, and eggs raised by the Farr family, as well as other farm products. As the sunflowers fade away post-Labor Day, the farm transitions to pick your own pumpkins next to the sunflower field in mid-September.
Good to pair with: Lunch in Richmond or a drive on Route 2 or River Road along the Winooski River
Brewster Uplands*
Cambridge, VT
Length: 10 miles
Type of walk: Maintained loop trails on conserved farmland
Accessibility: 1 mile accessible Pond Loop Trail
Why it’s scenic: Views of the Green Mountains, a pond, and vegetable and cattle fields
Cost: Free
Dogs allowed on leash
Season: Year-round
Trail information
When artists Alden and Mary Bryan moved to Brewster Uplands in 1939, they became stewards of land that had been used for two dairy farms for more than 100 years, as well as an 18th-century one-room schoolhouse. Over time, the Bryan family continued to care for the working land while creating an extensive network of trails that invited others to experience its fields and forests. Today, Brewster Uplands is conserved by the Vermont Land Trust and open to the public for exploration.
Ten miles of spacious trails at Brewster Uplands invite hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers. The trails offer views of Mt. Mansfield and the northern Green Mountains, and the mile-long, accessible Pond Loop Trail goes along the Brewster River. The property also hosts a vegetable farm and employs rotational grazing for the beef cattle, chickens, and goats on site.
Good to pair with: Recreating on the 95-mile Lamoille Valley Rail Trail or visiting the Historic Grist Mill Covered Bridge.
Find a farm walk near you
Things to know before you head out:
- Check seasonal access, hours, and trail conditions
- Wear comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
- Check the farm website or call for logistics, such as where to park and whether picnicking or dogs are allowed